Caseworker position – position now filled

August 2, 2011

The Case Worker will be based in the constituency office in Oldham. The post holder will provide advice and support to constituents on a variety of issues. The post holder will be accountable to the Senior Parliamentary Assistant. Excellent organisational and communications skills and case work experience are essential requirements.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Office of

Debbie Abrahams

MP

Employee Name

Job Title

CASEWORKER

Reporting to

SENIOR PARLIAMENTARY ASSISTANT

Main Purpose

SUPPORT TO MEMBER WITH CONSTITUENCY DUTIES

Staff Responsibilities

N/A

Key Tasks

Provide advice and support to constituents on a variety of issues through liaison with Government agencies, the voluntary sector and others to resolve matters.

Draft correspondence and arrange meetings as appropriate.

Key Responsibilities

Attend surgeries and other meetings to assist the Member in dealing with constituents’ issues.

Deal with daily queries from members of the public by phone, writing or in person, taking the appropriate initial action to resolve or document or escalate their concerns or enquiries.

Gather information from constituents to progress or close the case in a sensitive and confidential manner.

Attend tribunals as required.

Manage own caseload and progress of casework, ensuring all cases are logged updated with any actions taken and outstanding queries are followed up, with urgent cases reported to the Member.

Draft responses or respond to constituents on any issues raised on behalf of the Member.

Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant guidelines/legislation as appropriate in dealing with casework.

Ensure cases are dealt with in a sensitive and confidential manner.

Develop case work systems and procedures on behalf of the Member.

Analyse patterns of enquiries and produce fortnightly case work reports.

Develop knowledge in specialist areas.

Ensure records of contact with constituents are kept, with details of each case by adhering to the Data Protection Act principles and respect the confidentiality of data at all times

May undertake supervisory responsibilities as required, e.g., of interns.

Assist in the planning of events in the Constituency.

Competent use of IT including casework management systems, Microsoft Office, email and internet to support the above.

Any other duties related to the post and appropriate to the pay band as directed and agreed by the Member.

Member Signature

Date

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Criteria

Essential

Desirable

Assessed

Qualifications

Degree or equivalent

Yes

Application

Experience

Casework and caseworker software

Yes

Application & interview

Working in a political environment

Yes

Working in an MP’s constituency office

Yes

Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Yes

Application & interview

Excellent organisational skills

Yes

Computer literate – able to use various software

Yes

Report writing – prepare reports

Yes

Advocacy and campaigning

Yes

Office systems – implementing agreed systems

Yes

Recruitment process

Applications including a covering letter and curriculum vitae should be sent to:Debbie Abrahams MPLord Chambers11 Church LaneOldhamOL1 3AN

Please mark the left hand corner of the envelope ‘Job Application’

The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 12th August 2011.
Please note: I expect a large volume of applications and unfortunately will not be able to invite every applicant for an interview. If you have not heard from me by 21st August I am afraid you will have been unsuccessful this time and I wish you the very best of luck in your job search.

Interviews will take place in Oldham on Wednesday 31st August 2011 (case workers) and Friday 1st September 2011 (Parliamentary assistants).

Meet Debbie

Debbie Abrahams is the Member of Parliament for Oldham East and Saddleworth and the Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. She has been the Member of Parliament … Read more